Does this topic already exist?

[on:]

Do we already have a topic in which people can ask whether their idea for a new thread has already been done?

If not, we should have one. I can see three benefits:

1 - Easier moderation.

2 - New people not getting disappointed because their new thread gets shut down on account of it already existing.

3 - People might discuss their new thread ideas, rather than just being intimidated by the prospect of having to search for an old version.

The General Disscussion forum might be a good place to put it, as that's what the newer fans seem to check out. Might even be worth stickying, so they're not likely to miss it.

Just an idea that popped into my head. We're probably going to get a few new members as the new season kicks in and it might help make the place a lil more welcoming to them.

Sorry if this thread already exists!

[Reply #1 on:]

Do we already have a topic in which people can ask whether their idea for a new thread has already been done?

I heartily endorse this event or product.


It's a good idea. It might help to use that thread to link people to the wikiPEELia articles on New Threads and How2PEEL as well as The Manual in general.

That could help to stop people making the sort of mistakes that'll get them bitched at. It could also lead to new input for the wiki, and a better class of n00b overall.

[Reply #2 on:]

Yeah that's a good idea! I'm not really sure a newbie could navigate through the website and find this topic though. Maybe you could have a piece of text that says something along the lines of "This topic may already exist, if you want to find out if it exists click here (then link to this page) "

[Reply #3 on:]

Yeah that's a good idea! I'm not really sure a newbie could navigate through the website and find this topic though.

If "Does your thread idea already exist?" is stickied at the top of GD, I'm not sure how a n00b could miss it. Unless they're as dumb as some of the people (and I use the word "people" loosely) who registered in May 2011.

[Reply #4 on:]

Bad tnuk! Stop that!

* TMC spritzes tnuk with the squirt bottle

[Reply #5 on:]

I support this idea. The search function seems a little weird at times, and this would probably mean less duplicate threads.

[Reply #6 on:]

Yeah that's a good idea! I'm not really sure a newbie could navigate through the website and find this topic though.

If "Does your thread idea already exist?" is stickied at the top of GD, I'm not sure how a n00b could miss it. Unless they're as dumb as some of the people (and I use the word "people" loosely) who registered in May 2011.

Yes, but they could want to open a thread elsewhere.

[Reply #7 on:]

• Don't we already have topic lists on wikipeelia?
• What's the actual rate of new threads being created that are clones of old threads?
• Which board would most benefit from this?

It's not a horrible idea, but it does sound like meta discussion which gets in the way of real discussion or kills real discussion sometimes.  As far as I can see (and I could be wrong), moderation isn't that ridiculous right now; if new people can't handle their threads being closed for legitimate reasons, are they the type of people that will stay as regular members?  I mean, sometimes it's debateable whether a new thread is a clone thread per se, and there haven't been hard rules on Peel about necro'ing really old threads in order to discuss a similar topic or theme.  As long as old members aren't too dickerish to newer members, moderators should be able to use reasonable judgement to determine whether to keep a new thread or not and point users to a legitimate thread if they choose to close it at their discretion.

[Reply #8 on:]

Why don't you just make the thread?

[Reply #9 on:]

Yeah that's a good idea! I'm not really sure a newbie could navigate through the website and find this topic though.

If "Does your thread idea already exist?" is stickied at the top of GD, I'm not sure how a n00b could miss it. Unless they're as dumb as some of the people (and I use the word "people" loosely) who registered in May 2011.

Yes, but they could want to open a thread elsewhere.

General Disscussion would be the logical place (in my mind at least) to put the thread. Where else are you going to put it for newer members to see? A copy of it on every area of the board would be overkill.

[Reply #10 on:]

Maybe you could have a piece of text that says something along the lines of "This topic may already exist, if you want to find out if it exists click here (then link to this page) "

It seems like you are missing my point entirely.

[Reply #11 on:]

Perhaps there can be two versions: one for On-topic and one for Off-topic.

[Reply #12 on:]

Nah, people will complain if there's a sticky in OT. But the GD one could direct people to various places as said before, like wiki articles, the test thread and the TV test thread.

[Reply #13 on:]

Generally, by the time people make it to offtopic they've been around for a while.

[Reply #14 on:]

First Topic Existance threads, then "Hi I'm New" threads. It's the end times!